hi there, just joined the forum, was wondering if it would be an idea to use an external hard drive enclosure as a Raspberry PI case, because their are so many styles and sizes. It would still have enough room to add a usb hub (Holes would obviously have to be cut out) and prices range from a few pounds.

I was thinking of using one of those plastic / polythene boxes pre-recorded VHS Tapes used to come with (In my case – excuse the pun – size doesn't matter). I'm sure loads of kids / their parents will have one or two which could be 'liberated'.

Plenty of room for a Battery Pack, USB Hub, WiFi Dongle etc, cheap (I must have a couple of hundered in the attic), simple to chop about, non-metalic, reasonably rugged and easy to get into if the need arises. Slide a small solar panel into the front or back pocket to re-charge the battery pack, and Bob's your Uncle.

I'm going to call it a 'Punnet' (Portable Unit Needing No Engineering Talent)

EDIT: I was also thinking about super gluing a couple of Cable Ties to the base of the case and use those to secure the PCB – I'm not sure that will work, so will have to wait until I can get my hands on a Raspberry !

a neutral colour would allow people to paint/customise theirs however they saw fit

tawalker said:

I definitely like this case design – any chance of a white one?

Thank you.

Here you are.

I'm planning to make it available for 3D printing on Shapeways, where you can choose different colours, as soon as I have it completed and I can test it with a real sample of the board. It should be around 30€/35$.

Your rca connector is probably too low, take a look at Gerts measurements

Hi,
You can download my 3D model of the board here on my blog.

I remarked there that it can be different from the real one. I planned to update the dimensions as soon as I have a real board to measure.
I have to complain that the component seem not be chosen with the mechanical issues in mind: there are RCA and audio connector that have the same distance PCB-axis (as I did in my model), it would have simplified the design of the case.

I"m planning to make it available for 3D printing on Shapeways, where you can choose different colours, as soon as I have it completed and I can test it with a real sample of the board. It should be around 30€/35$.

I think this is a great looking case, Marco! Ferrari Red is a nice touch But I'd probably go with a nice silver tone myself. Maybe even black. Of the few cases I've seen, I like this one the best. Not so 4th gen "iPoddy" with white rounded edges ... so 2006ish.

Well, I been looking today In Maplins (UK). There are plenty of pre formed cases available for around £3. You just need to locate and drill the holes for the ports.

As for the mounting holes, not a problem.....blue tack, window sealant or some other no perm adhesive.

Also...there is some really nice thermo plastic out there that melts at 60c comes in bead form, you just heat it in some hot water...take it out and mold it to the shape you want. i've used it on other projects, and the end result looks really narly and organic like. Keeps the dust off, but does not look like something you would buy.

An idea for mounting the board could be a combination of small plastic pillars for the board to stand on, and a "clip" system. You have probably all seen these. They are used a lot of places. The top is cut at an angle, making it possible to click in the board. Having these on all four sides makes it persistent to pull and push from connectors. The pillars (along with the clips) in the bottom makes it stable for vertical push and pull.